The Month of Av
Articles
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Laws and Traditions of the Nine Days
With Rosh Chodesh Av, the more intense period of mourning for the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, known as The Nine Days, begins.
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Rosh Chodesh Av - What Do We Do?
Do we say Hallel on Rosh Chodesh Av? Yes, we do. But the question is not a silly one. The festive flavor usually associated with Rosh Chodesh is hardly in evidence.
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Shabbat Chazon
The Shabbat before Tisha B'Av, is called Shabbat Chazon - the Shabbat of foretelling - as we read the Haftara portion from the prophecy of Isaiah (1:1-27), as the final of the "three of affliction," readings.
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Tisha B’Av - The Haftarot of Consolation
On the Shabbos immediately after Tisha B'Av, we read the haftoroh of "Nachamu, Nachamu" from Yeshayahu.
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It’s a Mitzvah To Be Sad
Once a disciple of a certain Chassidic Rebbe noticed his Rebbe dancing happily on the Ninth of Av. He was astonished by this behavior, for everyone knew that Tisha Be'Av was not a time for happiness, but for mourning.
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Tragedy in Perspective
At the end of "Masechet Makot," the volume of the Talmud called "Makot," on pages 24a and 24b, there are two similar stories. In each, the same group of great scholars hears something or makes an observation which evokes from the majority of the group the expected human reaction, namely, tears.
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Destruction and Desecration
"The replacement for Vespasian, the newly crowned Emperor, was the wicked Titus, from whose mouth the verse 'Where is their G-d, the Rock in Whom they trusted?' seemed to come. For Titus blasphemed and cursed Heaven!"
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The Fateful Meeting
The setting is Jerusalem, approximately in the year 70 C.E.; the city is in the grip of a terrible famine, and it is surrounded by powerful Roman legions, under the command of Vespasian.
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Tiger at the Gates
When the Roman Emperor was convinced by Bar-Kamtza that the Jews were indeed mounting a rebellion, he sent against Yerushalayim the great general, Nero.
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The Third “Beit HaMikdash,” Holy Temple, in Yerushalayim
According to Jewish Tradition, the Mashiach is born on Tisha B’Av. According to the RAMBAM, it is the Mashiach who will lead the Jewish People in the building of the Third Beit HaMikdash, that is never to be destroyed.
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The Second “Beit HaMikdash,” Holy Temple, in Yerushalayim
The Prophet Yirmiyahu had received a prophecy that the “exile” following the destruction of the First Temple would be relatively “short” (compared, in any case, to the approximate 2,000 year-long Exile we’re still in, but are, G-d willing, coming out of); namely, 70 years.
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The First “Beit HaMikdash” - The Temple of Shlomo
The First Beit HaMikdash was actually built in the time of Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon. Shlomo was the son of King David, who had conceived the idea of building a Temple for HaShem.
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The Story of the “Churban,” The Destruction
On Tisha B'Av, unlike any other occasion, except for the "Shiva," the seven-day period of mourning for a loved one, there exists a prohibition to study the Torah.
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Showering During the Nine Days
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 551:16) records a custom practiced by Ashkenazim of not bathing or showering during the Nine Days, from Rosh Chodesh of the month of Av until the end of the Tisha B’Av mourning.
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Joy During the Nine Days
The Mishnah (Ta’anit 25b) says that once the month of Av begins, during the Nine Days, we have to reduce our joy.
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The Month of Av
"Chodesh Av," the Month of Av, is referred to in the Bible as the "Fifth Month," counting from Nisan, the "First Month."
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